On the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo calls for urgent action to end online violence and harassment against women and girls. He highlights how technology-facilitated abuse is driving women out of jobs and leadership roles, and underscores the vital role of ILO Convention 190 in ensuring safety, dignity, and respect for everyone in the digital world of work.

From online meetings to virtual translators and AI-powered searches, the digital space has become an essential part of our world of work.

And like all workplaces, the digital space must be safe, inclusive, and respectful.

Yet online violence and harassment—especially against women and girls— continues.

This violence takes the form of digital harassment, bullying, and abuse.

And it is pushing women out of jobs, leadership roles, and public life.

The ILO strongly condemns all virtual and technology-facilitated forms of violence and harassment, including sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.

And we are working hard to end this.

The ILO Convention 190 is the first global treaty to recognize this reality —and to demand action.

This Convention protects everyone in the world of work, be they onsite, remote, or online.

Convention 190 provides guidance on putting in place mechanisms to prevent and report all forms of violence and harassment.

On this International Day for the elimination of violence against women, let’s turn Convention 190 into practice through national laws and regulations.

Let us make every workplace a safe place for all.